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@bearcat998
Ah, it sounds like your cardiologist does not think having a stress test will provide new information or change his treatment recommendations.
My LAD is where most of my calcium is deposited as well. I’ve been told, as @njx58 comments that this is typical. Concerning, and typical.
One helpful cardiologist told me that the reason they tell patients to exercise regularly, is of course good for cardiovascular health but it is also extremely helpful for the patient to immediately recognize when something concerning changes. I also understand a stress test is a good test to show what is currently happening with the heart, though my dad’s experience was a heart attack one week after getting great results. I guess I say all this express I appreciation of your doctor’s comment about taking the stairs at your office.
Here is a summary Mayo Clinic provides about the stress test, if you haven’t seen it. I particularly want to point out the section addressing why the test is done:
“A stress test may be done to:
- Diagnose coronary artery disease. The coronary arteries are the major blood vessels that bring blood and oxygen to the heart. Coronary artery disease happens when these arteries get damaged or diseased. Cholesterol deposits in the heart arteries and inflammation usually cause coronary artery disease.
- Diagnose irregular heartbeats, also called arrhythmias. An arrhythmia can cause the heart to beat too fast or too slowly.
- Learn if heart treatment is working, or decide on a treatment. If you've already been diagnosed with a heart condition, an exercise stress test can help your healthcare team know if your treatment is working. The test results also help your healthcare professional decide on the best treatment for you.
- Check the heart before surgery. A stress test can help your healthcare professionals determine if surgery, such as a valve replacement or a heart transplant, might be a safe treatment for you.
Here is the entire summary:
- Stress Test Overview
https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/stress-test/about/pac-20385234
Do you think you will try Zepbound to lower your A1C? What is your fav flavor of pop tarts? 😀
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@jlharsh - I am getting a second opinion on the stress test. My PCP ordered the calcium scan based on a finding on a PMSA scan (prostate cancer). She made a cardio referral and told me that if it was going to take too long, she could order a stress test. So I am going to get her opinion too.
I really felt the doctor was very knowledgeable. He did an EKG, pointed to the peaks, noted how "sharp" they were, and said that if there were serious blockages, it would not look like that. (Although my knowledge base is very limited. He could have told me anything, I wouldn't have known better) Couple that with the fact that I have been asymptomatic, and I guess he felt comfortable adding Zetia and monitoring.
As for Zepbound, he is the second doctor who has made that recommendation. My oncologist also did a few weeks ago. My PSA numbers tend to be odd, and he ordered the scan to ensure that there was no further cancer. (It was negative, so I'll take that win). He believes the weird numbers are from post-radiation inflammation and said that he has noticed his patients on Zepbound have far less. He also knows I could lose weight and am pre-diabetic, but he was more interested in the anti-inflammatory effect. And the fact that having your blood sugar under control shows better outcomes for prostate cancer patients. So yes, I will meet with PCP this week. I will probably use a compounded version due to cost.
As to Pop Tarts, it's the Chocolate Fudge that I am too weak to walk past. Although I now make sure there are none in the house.